Advocacy Leads to Action
Russ’s Corner
News broke last weekend that the administration was considering an executive order (EO) that would establish a new board of high-level officials to review and approve individual NIH grants. Had that become a reality, the bureaucracy alone would have brought medical progress to a grinding halt. It would also have elbowed congressional authority aside. Research!America and other advocates mobilized beginning on Sunday (read our statement), congressional champions took action, and it appears that this board will not come to pass.
This past week we’ve once again collectively demonstrated that when organizations, institutions, and individuals unite, we can make a real difference. It is not easy to remain vigilant, it is tiring to step up again and again, and we don’t know what will come next. But your efforts are necessary, meaningful, and powerful. They work. Hold on to that as we march forward together.
Russ
On the Hill: Today, the Senate HELP Committee held a confirmation hearing on the nomination of Heidi Overton, M.D., Ph.D, to serve as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (Watch here). Overton is a physician who currently serves as Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. The committee has not yet scheduled a vote on her nomination.
Earlier in the day, the HELP Committee met in executive session to consider several other HHS nominations, including Nicole Saphier, M.D. for Surgeon General, but the votes was postponed. You can watch a recording of the session here.
Additionally, the Senate Finance Committee voted 15-12 to advance the nomination of Chris Klomp to serve as Deputy Secretary of HHS.
New Report on U.S. Investment in R&D: Our latest report, U.S. Investments in Medical and Health Research and Development 2021-2025, was released yesterday. This report provides a snapshot of the sources and magnitude of U.S. medical and health R&D funding during a particularly tumultuous five-year period; takes a quick look at how the biomedical R&D pipeline works; and highlights case studies of the incredible medical progress that is possible because of that pipeline.
2026 National Health Research Forum Recap: We had a full room and an engaged audience at our 31st National Health Research Forum yesterday in Washington, D.C. Thank you to our partners, members, sponsors, speakers, and all those in attendance. At this event, we featured projects from early-career researchers, debuted our newest report (see above), and hosted remarks from federal research agency officials as well as a compelling discussion around clinical innovation and America’s leadership in global R&D. You can view highlights from the event in our online photo gallery.
Alliance Member-only Meeting: We will be following up on the candid question and answer session held at the Forum with Principal Deputy Director of NIH Matthew Memoli, M.D. during our next alliance member-only meeting. It will take place Monday, Sept. 28, from 1 – 2 p.m. ET. We will also be hearing from special guest Carrie Wolinetz, Senior Principal at Lewis-Burke Associates. We’ve asked her to give an update on recent developments affecting NIH and pending Requests for Information. As always, we will leave plenty of time for questions. If you’re with an alliance member organization, watch your email or contact Jacqueline Lagoy for the Zoom registration link.
Sounding the Alarm on Sepsis: Why is research advocacy important? We periodically host alliance discussions, open to members and non-members alike, focusing on health threats and the people whose lives depend on research progress. On Tuesday, Sept. 29, at noon ET, we turn to sepsis – which affects more than 1.7 million Americans each year – and the role patients and caregivers can play in research. Joining us are Don Smith, a sepsis survivor, and Megan Jones, director of community education and support at the Sepsis Alliance. Register today.
Join Research!America: If you haven’t already, join our multi-sector alliance! The membership process is straightforward, the benefits are compelling, and your participation informs and intensifies our community’s influence on and off Capitol Hill. Email Associate Director of Membership and Development Operations Donald Cook for more information.